The District's Department of Health has launched a campaign to educate residents about new and controversial vaccine requirements in connection with the Human Papillomavirus.

Jessica Forres reports...

Boomp3.com'>LISTEN TO STORY 1 THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

Brochures about HPV sat on a table...untouched...inside the King Greenleaf Recreation Center...About three residents from Ward 6 showed up for the event.

Sandra Robinson with DC's Department of Health.

SO MANY PARENTS ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL MUCH LATER ON TO MAKE A DECISION OR TO COME TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHERE THEY REALLY HAVE TO KNOW.

Beginging with the 2009 school year, girls entering the sixth grade will be required to have a series of vaccinations against HPV or exercise the voluntary opt out feature.

The Department of Health will host two educational sessions in each ward about the options...

But some residents like Peter Tucker...who showed up to the event... oppose the new requirements.

I'M WITH THE PARENTS AND CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO STOP MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION IN DC. WE ARE A GROUP OF FOLKS WHO CAME TOGETHER WHEN WEHEARD ABOUT THIS BEING REQUIRED FOR SIXTH GRADE GIRLS. 11, 12 YEAROLD GIRLS, AND IT'S BEEN APPROVED FOR GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 9. BUT AGAIN THE WORDS OF DR. DIANE HARPER, A LEADING RESEARCHER AT DARTMOUTHMEDICAL SCHOOL... SHE'S CALLED THIS USED IN GIRLS UNDER 18 A GREAT BIGPUBLIC HEALTH EXPERIEMENT.

The next information session is October 25 at Emery Recreation Center.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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The District's Department of Health is hosting a series of informational sessions about the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.

Jessica Forres reports the city is trying to educate residents before the 2009 school year...when vaccination requirements go into effect.

Boomp3.com'>LISTEN TO STORY 2 THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

Nathaniel Beers is with the District's Department of Health. He is in Ward 6 to educate local residents about a new law that will require girls…entering the sixth grade… to become vaccinated against HPV…av virus that can cause cervical cancer.

WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR RATES, THERE ARE SOME STUDIES THAT SUGGEST THE RATES ARE 3-HUNDRED TIMES WHAT THEY ARE FOR OTHER WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY SO THERE IS CERTAINLY A HUGE NEED TO MAKE SURE THIS COMMUNITY IS WELL-INFORMED WHAT THE RISKS ARE.

He says the next information session is October 25th at the Emery Recreation Center.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News